2022 Audi S3 price and features detailed: Australian arrival early next year for new Mercedes-AMG A35 and BMW M135i rival

Audi’s new-generation S3 performance hatch and sedan will land in Australian showrooms early next year, priced from $69,900 before on-road costs for the former and $72,400 for the latter.

This represents an increase in price of $5700 for the five-door Sportback and $6600 for the four-door sedan, which were positioned at $64,200 and $65,800 respectively in outgoing form.

However, the 2022 Audi S3 is still more affordable than the Mercedes-AMG A35 ($71,576 for the hatch and $72,576 for the sedan), but pricier than the BMW M135i hatch/M235i Gran Coupe xDrive Pure ($65,900/$70,900).

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It’s not only the price that goes up in the 2022 Audi S3, but also the power and torque outputs from the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, now reaching 228kW/400Nm – an increase of 15kW/20Nm – and matching the European-spec equivalent after Australia’s hot weather classification was reassessed.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for a zero-to-100km/h sprint in just 4.8 seconds.

Fuel consumption in the Sportback is rated at 7.4 litres per 100km, while the sedan is slightly more frugal at 7.3L/100km.

The S3 sits 15mm lower than the standard A3 thanks to sports suspension with adaptive damper control, which can be adjusted through the drive-mode selector.

Bringing the S3 to a stop are 340/312mm front/rear brake rotors, which are tucked behind 19-inch alloy wheels shod in 235/45 tyres.

Standard equipment includes Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, stainless steel pedals, sports seats, interior ambient lighting and a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit digital instrument panel.

Handling multimedia duties is a 10.1-inch touchscreen that includes satellite navigation, digital radio, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

For safety, the 2022 S3 comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, exit warning, tyre pressure monitor and a reversing camera.

Eight exterior colour options are available, with Python Yellow and Turbo Blue being new for this generation.

Buyers can also opt for the $1500 black exterior styling package that darkens the front grille, air intake surrounds, side sill inserts, side mirror cases and rear diffuser.

Black wheels however, will cost another $300.

2022 Audi S3 pricing before on-road costs